There has been an increase in interest in pistol caliber carbines, and in response manufacturers are coming out with new options for shooters. New from Wilson Combat is the AR9, a pistol caliber carbine designed by the company to be versatile and reliable. According to Wilson Combat this is not just another converted AR-15, it’s a carefully constructed carbine designed to perform in a class all its own.

From Wilson Combat:

“The Wilson Combat AR9 closed-bolt blowback operating system is soft shooting and reliable with a wide variety of 9mm loads and exhibits flawless feeding with all common pistol bullet shapes, including hollowpoint and +P tactical ammunition. The AR9 bolt hold open ensures reliable lockback on empty with your pistol’s factory magazines. The AR9 proprietary bolt carrier group with heavy duty claw extractor and plunger ejector is tuned for exceptional reliability.

These new billet machined aluminum receiver models also accept standard AR accessories like furniture, triggers, charging handles, buttstocks and optics, and incorporate an integral trigger guard and flared magwell for fast reloading. [This] series of carbines has multiple unique patent-pending features that make it unique to the 9mm carbine market.

The AR9 is also an optimized suppressor host with minimal gas blowback and enhanced accuracy over other designs. Wilson Combat carbon steel match-grade button-rifled 1-10″ twist 9mm barrels ensure that the AR9 meets our stringent quality and accuracy requirements.”

There are three options available for magazine compatibility: Glock 17, Smith and Wesson M&P or Beretta 92. Multiple configurations are available as well including pistol, carbine, or short-barreled rifle. Keep in mind that NFA rules will apply. Barrels come as fluted or non-fluted in various lengths with different Wilson Combat muzzle devices. Basically you have a slew of options when it comes to the AR9 you buy.

Bill Wilson, the president of Wilson Combat, had this to say about their new pistol caliber carbine: “We have extensively tested the AR9 and it has exceeded my expectations for reliability and accuracy. When the AR9 is mated with a quality red dot sight and weapon light it is an exceptional training and home defense firearm for shooters of all skill levels.”

MSRP varies with the base price starting at $1995 for non-fluted variants and $2095 for fluted. Take a look on the company’s website at http://wilsoncombat.com/new/rifle-ar9-carbine.asp